Shona McGarty
McGarty in 2019
Born
Shona Bernadette McGarty

(1991-10-14) 14 October 1991
Barnet, London, England
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active2006–present
Musical career
Instrument(s)Vocals
LabelsSaga Entertainment

Shona Bernadette McGarty (born 14 October 1991) is an English actress and singer, known for her portrayal of Whitney Dean in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2008 to 2024.

Early life

Shona Bernadette McGarty was born on 14 October 1991 in Barnet, London to Patrick McGarty and Jennifer McNamara.[1][2][3] She has a younger sister named Camilla.[4] She is of Irish descent.[5] McGarty attended St. Teresa's Catholic Primary School and later studied at Loreto College, St Albans.[6][7]

Career

McGarty in November 2011

McGarty was involved in amateur musical theatre for six years, including a role in Wizard of Oz.[8] In 2007, she appeared in the short film What Goes Around.[9]

In October 2007, following the announcement that established character Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) was returning to EastEnders, McGarty was confirmed to be joining the soap as Whitney Dean; the daughter of Bianca's deceased partner Nathan Dean.[10] McGarty began filming in January 2008, and made her first appearance as Whitney on 1 April.[11] Early into her tenure, the character of Whitney was involved in a sexual abuse storyline in which she was groomed by Bianca's partner Tony King. McGarty who was 16 at the time, required her parents to give permission for the storyline to go ahead.[12] In July 2012, McGarty was suspended from EastEnders by the acting executive producer Lorraine Newman "for repeatedly being late for filming".[13] McGarty later regretted her behaviour as "lazy and irresponsible".[14] The same year, McGarty performed the song A Change is Gonna Come for Children in Need 2012.[15][16] McGarty's other storylines included being sexually exploited by Rob Grayson (Jody Latham), her marriage to Lee Carter (Danny-Boy Hatchard) and subsequent miscarriage, being stalked by Leo King (Tom Wells) which leads to her killing him in self-defence, and being impregnated by Zack Hudson (James Farrar), before discovering the baby has Edwards syndrome and omphalocele, which ultimately leads to her to terminating the pregnancy.[17][18][19][20]

In 2018, McGarty joined 26 other celebrities and performed an original Christmas song, "Rock With Rudolph", a song written and produced by Grahame and Jack Corbyn. The song was recorded in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital and was released digitally on independent record label Saga Entertainment on 30 November 2018 under the artist name the Celebs. The music video debuted with The Sun on 29 November 2018 and had its first TV showing on Good Morning Britain on 30 November 2018.[21][22][23] In 2021, McGarty reunited with Saga Entertainment to record a cover of the Beatles song "Let It Be", recorded at Metropolis Studios, in support of British charity Mind and released on 3 December 2021. McGarty was backed by a choir of celebrities including Georgia Hirst, Anne Hegerty, Ivan Kaye and Eunice Olumide, who performed as part of the 2021 line up of the Celebs.[24][25][26]

In July 2023, McGarty announced her departure from EastEnders after fifteen years.[27] In an interview with The Sun, McGarty said she "had decided to spread [her] wings and [would] be leaving EastEnders, whilst adding that she had "loved [her] years in the show."[28] Her final scenes are set to air in 2024, following the end of her contract.[29]

Personal life

McGarty was in a relationship with her EastEnders co-star Matt Lapinskas from 2011 to 2013.[30] Between 2018 and 2020, McGarty was engaged to long-term partner Ryan Harris.[31][32] In 2022, McGarty dated her EastEnders co-star Max Bowden for six months.[33]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2007 What Goes Around Shona Short film [9]
2008–2024 EastEnders Whitney Dean Regular role [10]
2010 East Street Charity special [34]
2011 Lauren's Diary 2 episodes [35]
2012 Children in Need 2012 Herself Performer[15][16] [36]
2020 The Queen Vic Quiz Night Whitney Dean Charity special [37]
2020 EastEnders: Secrets from the Square Herself Episode: "Whitney and Sonia" [38]

Music videos

Year Title Role Ref.
2018 Rock With Rudolph Herself [21][22]
2021 Let It Be Herself [24][25][26]

Discography

Singles

Year Title Ref.
2012 "A Change is Gonna Come" [39]
2018 "Rock With Rudolph"
(with the Celebs)		 [40]
2021 "Let It Be"
(featuring the Celebs)		 [41]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result Ref.
2009 British Soap Awards Best Newcomer Nominated [42]
2009 Inside Soap Awards Best Young Actor Nominated [43]
2014 2014 British Soap Awards Sexiest Female Nominated [44]
2014 Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female Nominated [45]
2015 Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female Nominated [46]
2016 Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female Nominated [47]
2017 22nd National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance Nominated [48]
2017 Inside Soap Awards Best Actress Nominated [49]
2017 Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female Nominated [49]
2018 23rd National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance Nominated [50]
2020 25th National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance Nominated [51]
2020 TV Choice Awards Best Soap Actress Nominated [52]
2020 Inside Soap Awards Best Actress Nominated [53]
2020 I Talk Telly Awards Best Soap Performance Nominated [54]
2021 26th National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance Nominated [55]
2021 Inside Soap Awards Best Actress Nominated [56]
2023 2023 British Soap Awards Best Leading Performer Nominated [57]
2023 Inside Soap Awards Best Actress Nominated [58]
2023 Digital Spy Reader Awards Best Actor Fifth [59]

References

  1. ↑ De-Burca, Demelza (22 January 2018). "Eastenders star Shona McGarty wants an Irish-themed wedding". irish Mirror. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  2. ↑ Sutherland, Cate (19 January 2016). "Shona McGarty: Everything you need to know". Closer. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  3. ↑ "EastEnders actress Shona McGarty highlights child grooming risk". BBC News. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  4. ↑ "EastEnders star Shona McGarty shocks fans with 'lookalike' sister". Entertainment Daily. 8 June 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  5. ↑ "EastEnders star wants Irish themed wedding". RTÉ. 22 January 2016.
  6. ↑ "Shona McGarty takes part in Loreto College fashion show". St Albans & Harpenden Review. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  7. ↑ "Shona McGarty: Everything you need to know". Closer. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  8. ↑ "Mohill family connections to Eastenders star Shona McGarty". Leitrim Observer. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  9. 1 2 "What Goes Around". Break Into Three. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  10. 1 2 Green, Kris (18 March 2008). "In pictures: Meet Enders' Jackson Five". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  11. ↑ "Bianca's Square return draws 10.4m". Digital Spy. 9 April 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  12. ↑ Edemariam, Aida (13 September 2008). "Dark days in Albert Square". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  13. ↑ "EastEnders star Shona McGarty suspended for lateness". BBC News. 16 July 2012. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  14. ↑ "Shona McGarty regrets getting in trouble with EastEnders: 'I was lazy and irresponsible'". Digital Spy. 30 December 2016.
  15. 1 2 "Shona McGarty". Saga Entertainment. 2021.
  16. 1 2 "Shona McGarty sings A Change is Gonna Come". BBC Children in Need. 26 March 2013.
  17. ↑ "POTD: 'EastEnders' Whitney comes face-to-face with Rob". Digital Spy. 22 August 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  18. ↑ "EastEnders viewers are left utterly heartbroken by Whitney's tragic miscarriage". Digital Spy. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  19. ↑ "EastEnders' villain Leo killed by Whitney in Valentine's massacre - but will she face prison?". Radio Times. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  20. ↑ "What is Edwards' syndrome? Whitney's baby's EastEnders diagnosis explained". Radio Times. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  21. 1 2 "TV stars sing for Great Ormond Street Christmas charity single". ITV News. 30 November 2018.
  22. 1 2 "Shona McGarty proud of charity song". femalefirst.co.uk. 3 December 2018.
  23. ↑ "The Celebs Rock With Rudolph". YouTube. TheCelebsVEVO. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  24. 1 2 "Shona McGarty sings a heart warming rendition of the Beatles classic 'Let It Be'". Saga Entertainment. 9 December 2021.
  25. 1 2 "Supporting mental health charity MIND, 'The Celebs' release a beautiful Beatles cover 'Let it Be'". thissoundnation.co.uk. 2021.
  26. 1 2 "Shona McGarty - Let It Be". Youtube. Shona McGarty VEVO. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  27. ↑ Knight, Lewis (29 July 2023). "EastEnders' Shona McGarty quits role as Whitney Dean after 15 years". Radio Times. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  28. ↑ "EastEnders exits confirmed for Shona McGarty and Lorraine Stanley". Digital Spy. 29 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  29. ↑ "Shona McGarty to leave EastEnders cast after 15 years on the BBC soap opera". Evening Standard. 29 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  30. ↑ "Matt Lapinskas on co-star Shona McGarty: "It was love at first sight"". Digital Spy. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  31. ↑ "EastEnders star Shona McGarty announces her engagement to partner Ryan Harris". Digital Spy. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  32. ↑ "EastEnders star Shona McGarty opens up over split from fiancé Ryan Harris". Digital Spy. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  33. ↑ "EastEnders star Shona McGarty reveals new romance after Max Bowden split".
  34. ↑ "BBC – East Street". BBC. 19 November 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  35. ↑ "BBC - Lauren's Diary". BBC. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  36. ↑ "BBC Children in Need 2012 - the stars of Appeal Night revealed". BBC Media Centre. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  37. ↑ "EastEnders and Coronation Street have Big Night In crossover as Liz McDonald joins Walford's pub quiz". Digital Spy. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  38. ↑ "EastEnders – Secrets from the Square – Whitney and Sonia". BBC. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  39. ↑ "Shona McGarty sings A Change is Gonna Come". BBC. 26 March 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  40. ↑ "Rock with Rudolph – Single by The Celebs on iTunes". Apple Music. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  41. ↑ "Let It Be – Single by Shona McGarty on iTunes". Apple Music. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  42. ↑ Green, Kris; KilKelly, Daniel (10 May 2009). "British Soap Awards 2009: The Winners". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2009.
  43. ↑ "Inside soap awards nominations". 8 July 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  44. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (17 March 2014). "British Soap Awards 2014 voting opens, longlist announced". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  45. ↑ Dainty, Sophie (29 July 2014). "Inside Soap Awards 2014 longlist revealed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  46. ↑ Dainty, Sophie (14 July 2015). "Inside Soap Awards 2015 longlist revealed: Who's in line for Best Actor, Actress and Newcomer?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  47. ↑ Sandwell, Ian (21 June 2016). "Inside Soap Awards 2016 longlist revealed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  48. ↑ Deene, Sarah (11 October 2016). "This is the BBC's last chance to bag an National Television Award for The Great British Bake Off/". Metro. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  49. 1 2 Harp, Justin (22 August 2017). "Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks all make the Inside Soap Awards longlist". Digital Spy. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  50. ↑ McCreesh, Louise (10 October 2017). "Here are all the nominees for the National TV Awards 2018". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  51. ↑ Harp, Justin (15 October 2019). "Love Island, Emmerdale, Killing Eve, Drag Race UK and more land National Television Awards longlist nominations". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  52. ↑ "TV Choice Awards nominations revealed – Normal People leads the pack". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  53. ↑ "Inside Soap Awards reveals full longlist for 2020's ceremony". Digital Spy. 14 September 2020.
  54. ↑ Gonzalez, Elliot (8 November 2020). "I TALK TELLY AWARDS 2020 Nominees". I Talk Telly.
  55. ↑ Lovejoy, Hannah (25 May 2021). "Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks stars land National Television Award nominations". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  56. ↑ Alexander, Susannah (28 September 2021). "Inside Soap Awards announces 2021 longlist as voting opens – here's who's up for prizes". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Archived from the original on 2 October 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  57. ↑ Cormack, Morgan (11 April 2023). "British Soap Awards 2023 longlist: EastEnders' Ravi vs Corrie's Stephen". Radio Times. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  58. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (4 July 2023). "Inside Soap Awards 2023 announces full list of nominees". Digital Spy. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  59. ↑ Zammitt, Erin. "EastEnders sweeps the board at the Digital Spy Reader Awards 2023". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
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